Juvenile Court

Judge: Herbie L. Solomon

Associate Judge: Richard Brooker
(229) 431-2162
(229) 434-2665 (fax)

By law, the Juvenile Court was established to assist, protect, and restore, if possible, as secure law-abiding members of society those juveniles whose well being is threatened. Each child coming within the jurisdiction of the Court shall receive the care, guidance, and control that will be conducive to his welfare and the best interests of the state.

The Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over juvenile matters and is the sole court for initiating action concerning any child under 17 years of age:

- who is alleged to be delinquent (except in capital offenses);
- who is alleged to be unruly;
- who is alleged to be deprived;
- who is alleged to be in need of treatment or commitment as a mentally ill or retarded child;
- who is alleged to have committed a juvenile traffic offense;

The Court has jurisdiction involving any proceedings:

- for obtaining judicial consent to the marriage, employment or enlistment in the armed services of any person if such consent is required by law;
transfer of juveniles through Interstate Compact;
- for the termination of the legal parent-child relationship, excluding adoption;
prior notice to a parent or guardian relative to an un-emancipated minor's decision to seek an abortion.

Juvenile Court has an annual caseload of over 2200 petitions that must be processed and prepared for hearings. Collecting restitution for victims, handling traffic fines, and insuring that indigent juveniles have legal counsel is a routine part of the Court's daily function.

The Court also provides a probation staff of six (6) that counsel and coordinate the treatment of each juvenile under the jurisdiction of the Court. A variety of community based programs are offered.